Stop Pulling the Wagon

John Kerry photo – Slick Times

President Elect Joe Biden has announced that he will be putting John Kerry in the position of “Special Envoy on Climate Change”.  An interesting choice.

In the past John Kerry has been unkindly likened to the butler “Lurch” in the old Addams Family series (1964-66).  I say unkindly but in many ways the part of Lurch, played by actor Ted Cassidy, demonstrated more charm and wit than former Senator and Secretary of State John Kerry seems to possess.

In my own mind John Kerry appears more like a humorless and inept caricature of Cosmo Kramer from the Seinfeld Series (1989-98).

An unremarkable Senator and never more than a “Yes-Man Bobblehead”  for the inept foreign policy of the Obama Administration.  He bumbled and stumbled and fumbled his way from one assignment to another serving as Secretary of State (2013-17).

“Jan 15, 2020 The Boston Herald · John Kerry, sucking up to the Iranians, is ending his long political career the way he began it, and that is by befriending the country’s enemies.” 

Again – Jan 15, 2020 The Boston Herald – “If the mullahs in Tehran want to get on President Trump’s good side, they could start by returning the billions they extorted from a willing Barack Obama.” 

Thank you John Kerry for doing your part.

Other than what he has been spoon fed as “Pablum” Climate Change propaganda from “Man Made Global Climate Change” so called “experts”,  I suspect he has little to no knowledge on the subject.

“Experts”,  for example like our former Vice President and self made charlatan Al Gore who predicted the end of civilization as we know it by the year 2000 unless we did exactly as he told us to do.  We didn’t and it didn’t.  In the process he made himself a multi-millionaire and bought a beach front mansion with his get rich quick charade which he still peddles to this day to his Kool Aid drinking sycophants.

I seriously doubt that John Kerry can set a temperature on his own heating and cooling system without help.

“Does climate change? Of course. If we had been alive 10,000 years ago, the majority of us would have been up to our butts in year round glaciers, ice and snow. Today, large areas of the upper United States are flat lands created by glacial action. Thankfully, climate has changed and continues to change with warmer and cooler periods.” (see “Junk Science Ala Carte” – SPTW November 23, 2019).

The fact is our planet is 70% covered in oceans and of the remaining 30% man occupies a tiny fraction of 1% of the land area and lacks the ability to effect the climate by more than an almost immeasurable amount.  Natural Solar cycles and volcanic action contribute much, much more to climate change.

But if, repeat if, John Kerry really thinks he can make a difference then let him take on the real polluters, China and India who have been all but exempted from the Paris Climate Accords till the mid 2030’s.  If he can’t do that then what can he hope to do other than eliminate a lot of jobs here in the United States.

Fact is, the United States does not have now, and will not have even 75% of the ability to provide our electrical and energy needs from solar and wind sources until at least 2050.

Have any of these “Green New Deal” zealots told us how, if you put everybody into electric cars, those cars and their batteries will have electricity pumped into them at the end of each day and from what source?

Of course, a Biden choice like John Kerry seems to be the “norm” for the coming Biden/Harris presidency which appears to be trying to re-create the Obama Administration.  Is former President Obama going to have a desk in the Biden Whitehouse?

Shall we be looking forward to Obama 3.0?  Ambassador Hillary Clinton?  Secretary of State Michelle Obama?

Bob Bandy – December 2020

photo: marketpulse.com

I fought the law and the law won – Lyrics by Sonny Curtis 1966

The “Swamp” is a common name given to the “Deep State” headquartered in Washington DC and refers to an entrenched Bureaucracy committed to continue their own existence at all costs no matter whether they actually accomplish anything or not.

Being somewhat less charitable than others I do not think of this as a swamp but instead consider it a cesspool or sewer.

There are literally countless Agencies, Bureau’s and Departments.  Many duplications with often intentionally obscure relationships.  All have one goal, to achieve Bureaucratic Immortality with lifetime payrolls and benefits for employees and suppliers.

Just one example that I wrote about in April 2012  (Bring on the Clowns)  is the Department of Energy:

“The Department of Energy was instituted during the Jimmy Carter Administration on 8/04/1977,  TO LESSEN OUR DEPENDENCE ON FOREIGN OIL.   Now it’s 2012 —- 35 years later —- and the budget for this “necessary” department is $24.2 Billion a year.  It has 16,000 Federal Employees and approximately 100,000 contract employees and look at the job it has done!  35 years ago 30% of our oil consumption was foreign imports.  Today 70% of our oil consumption is foreign imports…..  Great job!   Good old Federal bureaucracy.  (And we could supply all our oil needs from the USA)”  

I don’t need to tell you that this agency continues to this day, growing in size and cost to the taxpayer. We have since become energy independent, not because of the Department of Energy but because of technology and new ways to extract energy along with regulatory relief.

None of  these countless Bureau’s, Departments and Agencies want to see any kind of threat to their continued existence and  will support any political party dedicated to their immortality.  They will fight ferociously, using any means to continue their “kingdoms” infinitum. Hence, the “Deep State”.

President Donald Trump came to office with a promise to “drain the swamp”.  With this promise he became the “enemy” and had to be “gotten rid of” at all costs and with any measures possible.  Investigations, accusations, impeachment, character assassination, unnamed sources, distortions……  whatever it takes.

The “Deep State” has within their camp numerous collaborating “partners”.  The Federal Education and University Cartel, Tabloid Media Mafia, Hollywood Groupies, Big Tech Underworld.  Plus all the Government Unions dependent on the continued status “as is”.  A metastasized group of supporters.

What did you think was going to happen?  Want to get a visit from a government FBI agent?  How about an IRS Audit?  Maybe you would prefer having Robert De Niro screaming the ‘F’ word at your family and kids while you are having dinner at Denny’s?

I know I am always grateful when a Google Algorithm thanks me on my cell phone for shopping at Walmart for my underwear.  Aren’t you?

It is what it is and we seem stuck with it.

Bob Bandy – December 2020

California Homeless Camp 
                  California Globe 11-16-20 

Will $1 Billion Spending on California’s Homeless Fix the Problem?

“California’s largest cities are ground zero of the state’s expanding homeless population.  Contrary to most city leaders’ claims that this is a housing problem, it is not that simple. While California’s housing costs are through the roof, many of those living on the streets are not even from California, but come here for the state’s liberal policies on drug use, easy theft opportunities and lack of criminal convictions, generous welfare benefits, as well as the “sanctuary” status – and the weather.  Notably, most of the homeless also receive a monthly check from the federal government.” (my emphasis)

(Source: California Globe November 16, 2020)

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In December 2019 I wrote an article on Sacramento’s homeless problem and the City of Sacramento’s authorized $22.5 Million Dollar plan to help some 750-760 of the homeless on the cities streets and by-ways.  (see Tweedledum & Tweedledee  – Dec. 19, 2019 -SPTW).

Using my own calculator I determined this worked out to a cost of $29,605 per person helped.

I now hear on the news that Sacramento’s homeless problem has increased by 150% since last year and downtown merchants and citizens are “demanding” the city do something to alleviate the problem because the streets are unsafe, unclean and not “good” for business.

I have been unable thus far to determine where the $22.5 million dollars went and what the results of this “homeless solution” have been.

“Like most everyone else, I would love to get these poor, struggling people off the streets and into warm dry environments, housing, shelter etc…. but I have a question….. Do any of these officials and decision makers own a CALCULATOR?” (quote from my earlier article)

Why does government always seem to try to solve actual problems by throwing taxpayer dollars at them rather than tackling the true root causes of such issues so well spelled out in the California Globe article quoted above?

In a related case, I heard in the news last year that the State of Washington spent over $1 Billion Dollars on its homeless problem (mostly in Seattle) and the problem got worse, not better.

Tweedledum & Tweedledee appear to be still hard at work with “brain dead”, “feel good” solutions to problems with your tax dollars.

Bob Bandy – November 2020

 photo by Bob Bandy

End of the Trail by James Earle Fraser

WHEN PEOPLE FIND OUT THEY CAN VOTE THEMSELVES MONEY, THAT WILL BE THE END OF THE REPUBLIC – Benjamin Franklin

What Benjamin Franklin, and other early writers, saw was a potential weakness in the  Republic as founded that would allow Congress to prostitute itself  by rewarding those who would vote for them with funds from the public Treasury.  In other words, voters can vote money from the Treasury into their own pocket by simply voting for the “right” members of Congress.  (Voting – Achilles Heel of Democracy?  Jan. 2019 – SPTW)

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ARE WE THERE YET?

As I approach the end of my own trail I am reminded that I should have acquired some perspective and sound reasoning along that trail.

At this time, The United States as I have known and cherished since childhood, hangs on the ragged edge of oblivion and becoming a relic in the dustbin of history.

It appears to me now that we have sold our Birthright of Freedom for a bowl of lentil stew just as Esau sold his Firstborn Birthright to Jacob.  Genesis 25:29-34.

With this just held election, if one is to trust the voting results (count me out), a majority of voters seem to have succumbed to the siren call of a Socialist promised Utopia.

History seems to have purged itself of the fact that every time this has been tried in the past it has failed and the great unwashed masses end up being enslaved to a chosen few small ruling class that governs by force.  Cuba, Venezuela, USSR, etc. etc.

With the Mainstream Media, Academia, Hollywood Left, “Big Tech” (Google, Facebook, Twitter etc.) and various “Deep State” Government Agencies firmly in control of censorship and allowing you only to read and hear what they deem as correct, George Orwell’s 1984 Big Brother is becoming firmly entrenched, just some 36 years later than he predicted.

Another weapon being used is so-called “Political Correctness” and “Social Justice” being implemented under use and threat of violence.  “Accept what we demand or we will burn your cities then move out to your suburbs with demands you comply”.  Scary stuff to most citizens.

I am long past just being concerned about what is coming.  The “Radical Left” is in the process of closing all the doors to Freedom that this country was founded on. 

In just the last couple of days, Charles Schumer – New York Senator – said “Give us two more Senators and we will change America”.  Those two Senate Seats are hanging in the balance in Georgia in a run-off election in January.

Those who still believe in Freedom as spelled out in our Constitution need to rally together with the slim hope it can still be salvaged. 

Are you scared yet or do you want to welcome a Socialist States of America?

Bob Bandy – November 2020

            photo: millennialnewworld..com

IN THE NEWS HEADLINES: 

DEFUND POLICE – DISMANTLE POLICE DEPARTMENTS

Following the recent killing of George Floyd, I, and virtually everyone else want justice to be certain and sure for his killer.  I also believe  that none of us condone police brutality and we all agree that common sense reforms and disciplines are needed and will be widely supported. 

But this is not what many protesters are demanding.

Many Protesters are demanding and many cities are at least considering defunding and/or dismantling their police departments.  Perhaps a curious coincidence but the Antifa group has wanted the same thing for a long time. 

 What would this brave new world look like and how would it function?

A preview of how the system might function can be seen now in many cities and jurisdictions throughout the country in what are considered “minor” “non-injury” traffic accidents.  A similar system is in place for property crimes like theft and vandalism.

Our daughter’s car was “rear-ended” at a traffic light about a year ago.  Some years ago both parties would have waited for a police officer to arrive and write up a report before either was allowed to leave the scene of the accident.  In today’s world this does not happen.  Both drivers are told to complete an online report, file it electronically and then file a claim with their insurance company.  Both are encouraged but not required to take some pictures of the damage with their camera phones.

If Police Departments are defunded or dismantled perhaps a similar system can be put in place to cover other incidents now handled by Law Enforcement.

Keeping in mind that no one is protesting and demanding we defund  criminals this can present new opportunities for handling situations that have  been up till now considered police business.

If you are the victim of a home invasion robbery, any surviving family members can just file an online report and submit both property and life insurance claims with your insurance companies.

If you are robbed on the street by some ruffian, you can just pull out your own 9mm pistol and “blow them away”.  No messy police reports to fill out and no silly police officer questions about your unlicensed and unregistered handgun.  No need for pictures, no one is going to be arrested.

I would say that with no cops around, there will be a better than a 50% chance of whomever you meet on the streets being armed.

You can drive your unregistered, uninsured and unlicensed car at any speed you want with no worries about those bothersome and expensive tickets.  In fact, save yourself some money and make that a stolen car of your choice to drive.  Traveling in luxury will be so much simpler and less expensive.

Domestic Violence.  Just shoot it out the old fashioned way, 1880’s Dodge City, Kansas style with no Wyatt Earp to stop you.

In the above events you can just fill out an online report at your leisure, or not fill out one if you so choose.  Who is going to know?

Since law enforcement won’t be making any arrests it will clear up crowded Court Calendars and empty out our jails and prisons in a short period of time. Another “win” for those in favor of doing away with the police.

Yeah, I can see this working.  What could possibly go wrong?

Bob Bandy – June 2020